5 minutes with… Bob Taylor of Portadown-based Taylor Woodcrafts
For Portadown man Bob Taylor creativity has always been ingrained in his blood. It’s an ability he has leant heavily on right from his school days right through to employment.
Today, that endeavour and trust in his own ability has resulted in the establishment of his own wood-working business, Taylor Woodcrafts.
We put a few questions to Bob to find out a little more about his journey into self-employment…
Why did you choose being a woodworker as a career/business?
The whole way through my education, I’ve always been a creative person.
I followed subjects in art and design at high school, through to a degree in Design for Visual Communication at the Ulster University.
I’ve always been fascinated with craftsmanship required to make wooden furniture and smaller household items like butcher blocks and charcuterie boards. So it was a natural progression to fill my spare time with something creative and decided to learn the woodworking skills required to make these items.
I soon realised the enjoyment of working with wood and the pride it bringing from handmaking these items. There is also something amazing from finding a hobby and watch it naturally evolved into a small business. Realising that people want to purchase the items you make is the ultimate compliment.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
I’m always trying new ideas in an effort to elevate my items and create new ones. However, I recently made an oak end-grain butcher block which looked fantastic.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
The creative freedom to make things and seek out new challenges. The opportunity to express myself through woodcraft is a great feeling, encouraging me to refine my woodworking skills.
What has been the biggest challenge in your job?
Creating a market presence for business, corporate gifting and public consumer-based sales have been a real challenge. However, I have been fortunate to receive support from the ABC Council and the GO Succeed program for advice on how to overcome these issues.
What is the most helpful advice that you have been given?
“Don’t sell yourself short” is probably the most helpful advice I’ve been given.
Crafting my items takes time, which is demonstrated through the quality of my pieces.
The impulse to measure success by how much or how quickly you sell creates a false impression of self-worth. From talking to people at the pop-up events, they can see the art which is carved into every piece, which is what makes handmade craft so special.
If you could choose anything else to do, what would it be?
Graphic design was my passion, which I pursued through my education and career following graduation.
This did not pan out quite as anticipated, but every cloud has a silver lining. Without the creative outlet of graphic design, my woodworking passion may never have been found.
What do you think your best quality is?
I believe I have a strong work ethic and this is the reason how I have transformed a hobby into a business.
Name three things that you like doing outside of work…
Spending time with my family, working in my garden and watching rugby.
Tell us about a secret skill that we don’t know you have…
I spend too much time creating content for Instagram to keep any skills I have a secret!
What is your most prized possession?
My wedding band.
What is your favourite food?
I do love pizza and a beer on a Friday night.
What is your favourite book?
I’m audiobook lover, and enjoy the books in the Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin.
What are you currently watching?
Currently watching a few things – You, The Last of Us and Black Mirror.
If you were to watch a band/singer live, who would it be?
I’m more of a Nu Metal fan, so I’ll have to go with my favourite band – Korn.
Dead or alive, who would you most want to meet and why?
No specific person and more of a time and place; I find ancient Egypt and the pyramids fascinating, so maybe one of the ancient Pharaohs.